November 28, 2012
Central Truth
We are sealed by Jesus, and we can take refuge in Him when our world is coming apart at the seams -- just as the 144,000 did. God poured His wrath on the earth while Satan was trying to ravage the earth, and the 144,000 remained steadfast for Jesus.
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. (Revelation 14:1-2)
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.
6 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
8 Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion 1 14:8 Or wrath of her sexual immorality.”
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. 2 14:12 Greek and the faith of Jesus
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” 16 So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia. 3 14:20 About 184 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
I tend to ramble when talking to others about Jesus and the work He has done and is doing in my life. Lucky you -- I get to edit this before it gets to you!
As the parent of a child affected by Autism, we seem to have earthquakes almost daily. It's very easy to say, "God is in control, and I will have peace about it." But it's another thing to actually live it out. I often think about Revelation and what the end times will be like, and I find great comfort that God has promised those who love Jesus and claim Him as their Lord that they are sealed in Him and will be among the last ones standing.
Just as God preserved the 144,000 through the end times, He will preserve me in times that might look like the end of my own little world. Better yet, I can overcome the devastation that is here on earth and see all the blessings God has hidden for me, because God redeems and will show us He is good through any and all evil. "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world -- our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5)
I can't say I've never asked God why we are in the circumstances we are in. But I also can't say He has left me alone to wonder this for very long. He always reminds me of 1 Corinthians 15:57: "[B]ut thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
It's a commonly recited verse but so true, and at the end of our own struggles in this world, my prayer will always be that I can say 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."
Are you sealed with God?
1. How do you know you are sealed and preserved by God? Read Ephesians 1:13-14.
2. Do you truly know how to take refuge in the Lord when you feel your world is coming apart? Read Psalm 5:11, 7:1, 31:1.
3. How will the reminder of these 144,000 persevering affect your daily activities? Will you remember that God always has you in mind and wants good things for you?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
November 26-30 (Revelation 12-16)
Read Revelation 15:1-4.
• What two names does the writer give this little song in verse 3-4?
• Who was Moses? What did Moses do? (Hebrews 11:23-29, Exodus 3:10-12)
• Who is the Lamb? What did the Lamb do?
• Read Hebrews 3:1-6. What's the difference between Moses and the Lamb?
• What will the Lamb ultimately do one day?
• Why does it mean to be holy? Who is holy?
• Read Revelation 16:7. What does it mean that God's judgments are true and just?
Activity: Go to the following link (http://wmcc.jointhejourney.com/page_/3913) to listen to the song "Jehovah" and download the crossword puzzle. As you listen to the song fill in the meaning of the names listed in the clues of the crossword puzzle.
When done, talk about all the names of God and what they mean. This is the God whose judgments are just and true. How does it feel to be under a God who is loving, a healer, a provider, etc.?